Cooper’s mum: “The small things can make a world of difference to kids facing big challenges”

In January 2013 our world was turned upside down when our oldest son Cooper was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anaemia. He entered isolation at the Royal Children’s Hospital to begin intense chemo in the lead up to a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. It was here that we became aware of the Children’s Cancer Foundation. They provided art, play and music therapists who regularly visited Cooper providing my husband and I some 'time out' to process our own emotions and recharge for his next hurdle.

Cooper was also lucky enough to be a participant in the Beaded Journey program funded by the Foundation where he was awarded a 'special' bead for each new, and often scary, treatment he experienced. He can still reel off what each bead was awarded for and often smiles at this.

It’s surprising how much the small things can make the world of difference to kids facing big challenges. We are so grateful for the Children’s Cancer Foundation for providing these moments of sunshine amongst many stormy days. Without them his memories of this stage in his life may well have been negative rather than the triumphant experience it has been for him.”

Thank you to Cooper's family for sharing their journey with us, we are pleased that The Beaded Journey has provided you comfort.